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Major Religions of the World: Their Origins, Basic Beliefs, and Development
Book by Bach, Marcus
143 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 5, 2022
Wonderful primer on the major religions of the world. The book spends about 10 pages or so on each major religion: Hindu, Judaism, Islam, Shinto, Confucianism/Tao, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity. It covers the origins, core beliefs and world geographic footprint(as of 1959). I knew a good amount about half of the religions and almost nothing about the others. I learned so much. The book is written by a Protestant Christian American man and he writes respectfully from a faith based perspective on all of the religions. He holds beliefs similar to mine that different religions are simply different dialects of the same language to commune with a common God. The two chapters I thought his faith based perspective got in the way were in the Confucianism and Christianity sections. Confucianism because he judges its disconnection from a higher power and Christianity because he clearly is too much of a believer to give an objective topline summary akin to what he did for the other religions. It reads more like, “and this is why Christianity is the most wonderful”. In addition to being a great learning tool, the interspersion of context specific to the times(1959) is an awesome time capsule. The best example of this would be the chapter on Judaism - the author explored the religion in Israel 11 years after the country was formed.
January 25, 2023
Read.
Absorb.
Sleep.
Repeat.
Read.
Absorb.
Sleep.
Repeat.
It was a good, short book, so I was in no hurry to get through it. And, getting through in a hurry would've been OK for the brainless, or some comic books, but this was obviously much deeper than many others, despite its short length.
Marcus Bach's survey book leaves the reader with plenty of time to think about what they've read. He also wasn't out to impress anyone with unusual words that only a few might understand. Bach showed reader empathy and was very inclusive in his writing.
He kept it simple, and that helped the book, considerably.
The world, and its people, encompass a large variety of adaptations, and probably more tolerance than the lesser observer might realize. Some marriages do not combine into one church, remaining split as they were before the wedding ceremony. In some countries, and regions, denomination diversity is also practiced. Old Spain had the Convivencia in which Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together in relative peace. However, on their borders, Christians were engaged in the Reconquista, eventually pushing Islam out of the country in 1492.
I've often wondered that if a polyglot can speak different languages, why can't someone practice different religions if they seriously want to? The idea tests the boundaries of religious tolerance for some, but why waste time worrying?
The chapter on Shintoism also probed such thinking in terms of life after death. "To get religion like a Christian," said a Japanese student, "to study it like a Buddhist, to live it like a Confusionist, and to enjoy it like a Shintoist, this is a good arrangement."
Bach eventually addresses the individual relationship of one person and their choice(s).
"I think that persons are wise when they visit people of other lands," he wrote. "I advocate strongly a sympathetic understanding of the other person's point of view. But most important of all, we should first mine the acres of diamonds in our own expression of faith."
Bach wrote about the basics, and beginnings, of Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, Shinto, Confucianism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Zoroastrianism. This could also be a good reference to keep around.
Absorb.
Sleep.
Repeat.
Read.
Absorb.
Sleep.
Repeat.
It was a good, short book, so I was in no hurry to get through it. And, getting through in a hurry would've been OK for the brainless, or some comic books, but this was obviously much deeper than many others, despite its short length.
Marcus Bach's survey book leaves the reader with plenty of time to think about what they've read. He also wasn't out to impress anyone with unusual words that only a few might understand. Bach showed reader empathy and was very inclusive in his writing.
He kept it simple, and that helped the book, considerably.
The world, and its people, encompass a large variety of adaptations, and probably more tolerance than the lesser observer might realize. Some marriages do not combine into one church, remaining split as they were before the wedding ceremony. In some countries, and regions, denomination diversity is also practiced. Old Spain had the Convivencia in which Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together in relative peace. However, on their borders, Christians were engaged in the Reconquista, eventually pushing Islam out of the country in 1492.
I've often wondered that if a polyglot can speak different languages, why can't someone practice different religions if they seriously want to? The idea tests the boundaries of religious tolerance for some, but why waste time worrying?
The chapter on Shintoism also probed such thinking in terms of life after death. "To get religion like a Christian," said a Japanese student, "to study it like a Buddhist, to live it like a Confusionist, and to enjoy it like a Shintoist, this is a good arrangement."
Bach eventually addresses the individual relationship of one person and their choice(s).
"I think that persons are wise when they visit people of other lands," he wrote. "I advocate strongly a sympathetic understanding of the other person's point of view. But most important of all, we should first mine the acres of diamonds in our own expression of faith."
Bach wrote about the basics, and beginnings, of Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, Shinto, Confucianism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Zoroastrianism. This could also be a good reference to keep around.
December 15, 2011
A good, personal introduction to the world's major religions. It is purposely presented from the author's experience and should not be regarded as an objective survey. All religions explored are lovingly covered. No current-day strife between religions is considered (which can be a relief).
December 28, 2016
I got a "A" in the class. Bach breaks down eight religions of the world in detail. He was through and entertaining. I learned much about Zorastrianism and Judaism and the culture in that part of the world. Enjoyed the book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews